After 4 1/2 hours of public comment and discussion at its Feb. 5 meeting, the Santa Maria Planning Commission voted 3-1, with Commissioner Robert Dickerson dissenting, to approve a planned development permit for construction of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Santa Maria. Dickerson said he opposed the project because he thought it would have a detrimental effect on the city’s economy and the mental health of many of its immigrant farm workers. The project now moves on to the City Council for further consideration. At least 2,000 people showed up in protest of the facility. The Sun will post a more detailed version of what happened soon.
This article appears in Feb 6-13, 2014.